Free Lyndsey Cole - Lily Bloom 01 - Begonia Means Beware by Lyndsey Cole Page B

“He’s not my cop. And I don’t want to talk about it.” Her mother did have a point about the rocky relationship but Lily wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction of being right. Lily relaxed. “Ryan got something interesting in the mail.”
    “Oh?”
    “He stopped at the shop to show me a card with a pressed tansy inside.”
    “That doesn’t sound very exciting.”
    “I looked up tansy meaning and it can mean hostile thoughts. Begonia, beware? Tansy, hostile thoughts? There must be a meaning in this somewhere that points to the killer.”
    Iris gazed out the window. “Maybe. But I sure don’t see it. How far is this place?”
    “A few more miles. Did you talk to Mari Harris when you called the nursing home?”
    “The main desk tried to put me through. She didn’t want to talk on the phone but is looking forward to our visit.”
    “Tamara told me that Clifton didn’t have any relatives. I wonder why he kept this all secret.”
    “We all have secrets. On that subject, what do you know about Ryan Steele? He arrived in town and what do we actually know about him?”
    “All he told me so far is that he’s from the southern part of the state and he’s filling in temporarily until they get this mess figured out with Mike Keller.”
    Lily took the exit and followed her directions to the Spring Valley Nursing home. “This looks like a nice setting.” Pulling under an oak tree, Lily grabbed the flowers she’d brought for Mari Harris. “Let’s go see what we can find out.”
    T hey walked to the main desk and asked for Mari Harris’s room. “Marigold? You’ll find her in the common room. She’ll be sitting in the little greenhouse with all the plants.
    Iris gave Lily a quizzical look. “Marigold? I like her already.”
    Sure enough, they spotted a neatly dressed, petite, gray haired woman sitting quietly next to a table of blooming orchids. She looked peaceful.
    Lily gently touched her shoulder. “Mrs. Harris?”
    The face turned toward the touch and voice but the eyes were unseeing. “Yes?”
    “My name is Lily Bloom and my mother, Iris, is with me. Could we join you?”
    “Certainly, dear. And call me Mari. It’s short for Marigold. A flower name, just like the two of you. I don’t like to go by that name though. Do you know why?”
    Lily whispered. “Because it can mean grief?”              
    Mari laughed. “Yes. You know your flowers. Pull a chair closer. What did you bring?” She sniffed the air. “It smells like lilies and eucalyptus. Majesty and protection.”
    Lily and Iris each pulled a chair on either side of Mari. “That’s absolutely right. Where would you like me to put the flowers?”
    “I’ll hold them. I’m guessing I might be needing some protection from whatever it is you’ve come here to see me about.”
    Lily looked at Iris and frowned. “Why do you say that?”
    “I haven’t heard from my grandson, Clifton. He calls every day and he had an important meeting here that he never showed up for. You must have found his ‘in case of emergency’ number?”
    “Yes. My dog found his wallet yesterday morning. Do you know why he hasn’t called?”
    “Not officially. ” She paused, dropped her head and sighed. “But I know.”
    Iris wrapped her thin arm around Mari’s shoulders. “We’re so sorry to have to tell you. His body was found yesterday. No one knew he had any relatives. Not until I found this number in his wallet.”
    Mari slumped. “I suspected. Like I said, he was such a good grandson. Called me every day.” Tears silently spilled down her cheeks.
    Lily handed her a tissue. “Did you know he was supposed to get married on Saturday?”
    “Yes. He was so happy. Melinda is her name, right? He described her to me and said he would bring her to meet me sometime. You must be wondering why he kept me a secret?”
    “Only if it helps solve his murder.”
    Her body tensed. “Murder? Why on earth would anyone murder Clifton?”
    “That’ s